Labor’s Bathurst branch president Peter Tully said the dinner came after local members had been heavily involved in the Bathurst Regional Council election campaign.

“The Bathurst branch has had a successful couple of weeks and this will cap off a very busy period,” he said.

Bill Shorten entered federal parliament as the Labor Member for Maribyrnong in 2007.

Then Labor leader Kevin Rudd made Mr Shorten the parliamentary secretary for disabilities and children’s services.

Following Labor’s success at the 2010 election, he was appointed to the ministry as assistant treasurer and Minister for Financial Services and Superann-uation. He was given the workplace relations portfolio last year.